Growth in Stagnation: A First Attempt
Kickstarting a newsletter about being mentally ill throughout the creative and freelance journey
What I’m listening to: “We are only dust / We're just particles made of us / And something else that's hard to trust / I think we're gonna make it through the day”
– “Above And Below” by Raleigh Ritchie
Kære venner,
That means “dear friends” in Danish because I hope the first people who read this lackadaisical attempt at a newsletter are friends, both present and future.
Hi, I’m Maria, occasionally Mari or bub! I’m a desperately shy Danish-Malawian 5’3” brunette trying to grow. I write but rarely for fun and even less for me.
As with many people, 2024 is a year of stagnation, dread, and fear. And as with many freelance creatives, the prospect pool is slim. Landing a client feels serendipitous. Is it AI? Is it the US election? Is it inflation? Who the fuck knows.
I went from having a full-time job to re-learning how to freelance with mixed results. Adding to the trials is a degrading relationship with creativity thanks to depression, anxiety, and grief.
Prior to 2020, I was committed to mental health recovery. Circa 2024, I’m committed to survival while juggling independence, aging, supporting my family, and financial insecurity.
I (somehow) have found my footing again, but even that feels like walking on stilts. At every second of every day, I’m ready to collide with a tsunami I can’t see coming and that’s gut-wrenching.
But that’s also growth.
Here’s to committing to recovery from stagnation.
Yours shyly,
Maria 🎀
From the Shy Showcase 🥀
In addition to writing about mental health and freedom, I want to highlight some of my creative achievements. I’ve written a shocking 22 poems so far in 2024—how amazing! Here’s an excerpt of one of my faves.
to my friends in the room today (who are very far away)
i say
the world is ending
and you say
it is only hail pelting
my skin
“you’ve weathered worse
and won.
what’s ice to the warmth
of seeing the sun?”
i say
why can’t you be close?
and you say
it is only a matter of time
and love
“you’ve hoped, prayed, and
rattled on
about the life we’ll live together.
one day, it’ll come.” From the Strawberry Patch 🍓
At Poetry Orchard, my signature fruit is strawberry so to honor that, here are a few snippets from the strawberry patch—where my friends and I are always growing things:
Human, Kind: Blossom from TeaWithHB is hosting a workshop on optimism and love, inspired by the book Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman
Cosmic Horror: Next Sunday (Nov 17), I’ll be hosting a creative writing workshop inspired by my deep and maddening love for cosmic horror. Stay tuned for the event when it goes live
Prospecting: I am currently available to take on new clients for content or copywriting and editing. For more information, please check me out on LinkedIn! Feel free to connect :)
For My Friends 💗
A creative prompt to inspire all of us. Please send me what you end up creating!
What is a spark of light in this miasmic year?